KUALA LUMPUR- Malaysia Airlines (MH) is reportedly closing in on an order for around 10 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners as Malaysia Aviation Group moves to renew the airline’s long-haul fleet. The aircraft could replace 7 leased Airbus A350s while adding capacity for future growth.
Malaysia Airlines evaluated aircraft from both Boeing and Airbus. Boeing reportedly gained an advantage by offering earlier delivery slots from 2031 and more favorable engine terms.
Malaysia Airlines Nears 787 Order
Malaysia Aviation Group is reportedly close to placing an order for approximately 10 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners for Malaysia Airlines.
The reported order would form part of the carrier’s long-haul fleet renewal strategy and could bring Boeing back into Malaysia Airlines’ widebody fleet after the retirement of its Boeing 777 aircraft.
According to Bloomberg, people familiar with the confidential discussions said Boeing moved ahead of Airbus by offering earlier delivery slots beginning in 2031.
The potential order has not yet been officially confirmed. The final number of aircraft, configuration and delivery schedule could change before an agreement is completed.
The proposed Boeing 787-10s are expected to replace Malaysia Airlines’ 7 leased Airbus A350 aircraft.
The airline has been looking to replace the A350s because of high lease rental costs. Malaysia Airlines evaluated aircraft from both manufacturers before Boeing reportedly gained the advantage.
An order for around 10 aircraft would go beyond a direct replacement of the seven leased A350s.
The additional aircraft could provide Malaysia Airlines with extra widebody capacity for future network expansion.
Boeing Gains Delivery Advantage
Delivery availability is reportedly one of the main reasons Boeing gained an advantage in the aircraft competition.
The first Boeing 787-10 aircraft could be delivered from 2031, according to people familiar with the discussions.
Earlier delivery slots could allow Malaysia Airlines to coordinate the replacement of its leased A350s while adding new widebody capacity.
The airline had considered aircraft from both Boeing and Airbus as part of its long-haul fleet renewal process.
GE Offers Better Engine Terms
Engine commercial terms are another reported factor in the potential aircraft selection.
GE Aviation is said to have offered better terms than Rolls-Royce during the competition.
The Boeing 787-10 can be powered by General Electric GEnx engines or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, depending on the airline’s selected configuration.
The reported advantage for GE formed part of the wider commercial discussions surrounding the potential aircraft order.
Boeing Deal Has Trade Context
The potential 787 order also comes against the backdrop of Malaysia’s wider aircraft purchases from Boeing.
In 2025, Malaysia Aviation Group announced an agreement for 30 Boeing 737 aircraft, comprising 18 737-8s and 12 737-10s, with options for another 30 aircraft.
The aircraft commitment was included in the broader economic relationship between Malaysia and the United States.
US and Malaysian officials announced a trade agreement in 2025 that included Malaysia’s purchase of 30 Boeing aircraft, with options for 30 additional aircraft.
The reported 787 discussions therefore come within an existing Boeing-Malaysia commercial relationship. However, the reported long-haul aircraft order remains subject to a final agreement.
Malaysia Airlines has relied on Airbus for its widebody aircraft since it retired the Boeing 777.
The airline currently operates Airbus A350s and A330s for widebody operations, while its narrowbody fleet includes Boeing 737 aircraft.
Malaysia Airlines also ordered 40 Airbus A330neo aircraft as part of its fleet renewal program.
Ten A330neos had already been delivered, according to the September 18 report.
The carrier’s overall fleet was described as roughly 90 aircraft, including 57 Boeing 737 single-aisle aircraft.
787-10 Adds Long-Haul Capacity
The Boeing 787-10 is the largest variant of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner family and is designed for high-capacity international operations.
For Malaysia Airlines, the aircraft could provide additional long-haul capacity while replacing leased A350 aircraft.
The potential order would also expand Boeing’s role in Malaysia Airlines’ fleet beyond its existing 737 narrowbody operations.
The 787-10 could become an important part of the airline’s future long-haul fleet if the reported agreement is finalized.
Fleet Renewal Supports Growth
The reported order size is larger than the seven leased A350 aircraft that the 787-10s could replace.
This would give Malaysia Airlines additional aircraft for future network growth rather than limiting the program to fleet replacement.
The strategy would allow the airline to address the cost of its leased A350s while also preparing additional widebody capacity.
The reported plan therefore combines fleet renewal with future expansion.
Malaysia Airlines Fleet Strategy
Malaysia Airlines is continuing to modernize its fleet through aircraft deliveries and purchases from both Boeing and Airbus.
The carrier is receiving Airbus A330neos while continuing to operate A350s for long-haul services.
Its Boeing 737 fleet provides narrowbody capacity across its network.
A finalized 787-10 order would create a broader mix of Boeing and Airbus aircraft across the airline’s operations.
It would also mark Boeing’s return to Malaysia Airlines’ widebody fleet after the retirement of the 777.
Order Remains Unconfirmed
Malaysia Aviation Group has not officially confirmed the reported Boeing 787-10 order.
Malaysia Aviation Group did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while Boeing and Airbus declined to comment on the reported discussions.
The aircraft quantity, delivery schedule, engine selection and final configuration could change before any formal agreement is announced.
If finalized as reported, Malaysia Airlines could receive around 10 Boeing 787-10s from 2031, replacing seven leased A350s and adding further long-haul capacity for future network growth.
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